Actual text translated into English from the “Conquistas de las Islas de Filipinas” by Fray Gaspar de San Agustin, OSA, pp. 749-759

The Life of the venerable Fray Diego de Herrera, and the unfortunate failure of the mission he was conducting in this Province

Of the lamentable events of Father Martin de Rada and Father Agustin de Albuquerque in the voyage they undertook to China, the end that the venerable Fray Diego de Herrera met was the most unfortunate and fatal, with the new operatives who accompanied him to these islands, in the propagation of the faith not only there but also in this archipelago and that of the vast empire of China, whose tragedy is retold but historians. However, I preferred to follow the narrative he makes it to the letter, as well as about the life of such an apostolic gentleman, as written by Fray Jose Sicardo in Adiciones a la Historia Mejicana.[1]

The venerable Fray Diego de Herrera was born of honorable parents, in an area of the Archbishopric of Toledo names Recas. He was the son of Miguel de Alameda and his legitimate wife, Juana Martinez. As good Christians, they educated their son in good customs. He grew so well-inclined that as a child, he would gather together others of his age, and would play at preaching them platitudes. Everyone admired his saintly propensity in this undertaking, and was of the opinion that God destined him for greater things, as time would prove when he would become a famous preacher in Spain, Mexico and the Philippines, where his efficacy and sweet words and sentences would enthrall his listeners. He was inclined to the religious state, and took on our habit at the convent of Toledo, where he professed his vows on March 10, 1545, even Fray Martin Claver in the history he wrote of our province in the Philippine states that he was a native of Medina del Campo and the son of our convent in Valladolid.[2] However, not even Father Herrera[3] found him among the sons of that convent, nor did I find him among the list I have of them. Our famous historian[4] states his teacher was Fray Jeronimo Roman, and since he would have taken his vows in our Haro [Jaro] convent on August 8, 1551 and the venerable Fray Diego on March 10, 1545, the time is proportionate to encompass the studies to which he admits, because before leaving the province of Castille, the venerable Fray Diego and expounded there with the credit corresponding to his great genius and knowledge due to his continuous studies; albeit with such subordinate resignation to his prelates that the enterprises of spiritual conquests were more the result of obedience than of the ardent spirit with which he undertook them. Continue reading “The Life of Fray Diego de Herrera and his martyrdom in the Philippines”→

Year Published: 1987
Book Title: Angels in Stone: Architecture of Augustinian Churches in the Philippines

Publisher: Metro Manila/ GA, Formoso Publishing

Page Total: 526
Illustration Total: 788 photos

14 sketches
1 floor plan
1 map

ISBN: 971 857 5006

Availability
Library Reference:
Rizal Library

Evaluation
Comments:
The book is a documentation of Augustinian churches in the Philippines that were built during the Spanish colonial period. It provides historical accounts and detailed descriptions of different Augustinian churches in Luzon and the Visayas. It contains black and white photos of the interior and exterior of the documented churches.

Summary
Foreword
This is a one-page description of what the book is about: a documentation of architecture and construction of churches and convents in the Luzon and Visayas regions of the Philippines by pioneering Augustinian friars during the Spanish colonial period. It identifies three aspects of Spanish colonization: culture and development, dual motivation of the colonization policy, and the distinctive colonial architecture and town-planning model which leaves a rich cultural and historical heritage.

Preface
The preface opens up with commentaries on how some historical areas of the Philippines have been neglected including the development of Philippine architecture. It follows past accounts of the Augustinians in the Philippines. The author justified the choice of Augustinian churches for study by pointing out their existence in original forms despite some restorations. Part of the preface is about the construction of the Augustinian churches and convents. It described religious architecture in the Philippines as “Filipino” in style. The preface also gives a general overview of the characteristics of the church. The succeeding pages provide detailed narratives of different towns and Augustinian churches listed below. Included are the history, location, and foundation of the towns, construction and style of the church and convent. The lists are divided into geographical areas, which are also briefly described.

Call to paper

If you wish to add or contribute articles in this blog about the contributions of the Augustinians in the Philippines, please feel free to message me. Your work will highly be appreciated. This is a call to paper specially to all Augustinians either lay or religious.
Godspeed my friends!

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About this blog

This blog is set to gather information about the numerous churches that the Augustinians built in the Philippines. It is only proper to dedicate such endeavor since they have contributed many things to the Filipino people in various aspects or fields of interests.